Saving water at work
Water is a valuable resource but we often take it for granted. By conserving water we can protect this resource, along with reducing water and energy bills.
Remember if you haven’t measured it, you can't manage it.
Every drop counts, be conscious of water usage at home and work and only use what’s necessary;
- Put on dishwashers with a full load and on eco setting.
- Do not overfill kettles.
- Report leaking taps, toilets and showers.
- Have water dispensers where possible to fill reusable water bottles.
- Only use hot water when necessary to save energy.
Guidance for maintenance managers
- Monitor water use regularly.
- Calculate your water use and compare it with similar healthcare facilities.
- Check your site for water leaks.
- Use an online data logger, installed on your internal sub-meter or mains meter, to check your daily water use.
- Install sub-meters, which allow you to record water use in specific zones.
- Complete a survey of the main fixtures and fittings.
- Compare your hospital with national best practice benchmarks.
- Compare your main fixtures and fittings to best practice flow rates.
- Examine the supply pressure of water throughout your site.
Estates Sustainability Officers
Contact your local Estates sustainability officer for advice and guidance on water conservation.
Resources
Water Efficiency: A best practice guide for Irish Healthcare Facilities (PDF, 4MB, 24 pages)
Resource efficiency for community nursing units and nursing homes (PDF, 2.1MB, 20 pages)
Fact sheets
Water use benchmarks for hospitals (PDF, 455KB, 2 pages)
HSE leak detection guidance (PDF, 94.8KB, 3 pages)
Case Studies and other resources
Other resources including posters and case studies are available on our partner's website www.greenhealthcare.ie
The first step to reducing water use is to begin measuring and monitoring it regularly. There are two main ways of monitoring water in your facility.
